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O's supporting annual New Year's Eve celebration

O's supporting annual New Year's Eve celebration

BALTIMORE -- The Orioles will cap an incredible 2012 by playing a big part in helping the city of Baltimore ring in the new year.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and the Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts announced Wednesday that the Orioles will be presenting sponsor of the area's largest New Year's Eve celebration, taking place Dec. 31 from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. ET.

"After a thrilling 2012 season, the Baltimore Orioles are preparing to start 2013 off right with an exciting New Year's Eve celebration for everyone," Rawlings-Blake said in a statement. "New Year's Eve is another great opportunity for the citizens of Baltimore to celebrate with their beloved team, and its commitment to this great American city."

Baltimore's New Year's Eve Spectacular, presented by the Baltimore Orioles, will have live music from local Top 40 band OutBreak and the city's official countdown to 2013. Entertainment starts at 9 p.m. in Inner Harbor Amphitheater, with multicolored fireworks slated to illuminate the Baltimore skyline later in the evening. The show is produced by Pyrotecnico from two barges and choreographed to holiday and today's hit music, including fan favorite songs "Orioles Magic" and "Glad You Came," the latter which was shown on the JumboTron at Camden Yards with Orioles players lip-syncing the lyrics.

"The Orioles are proud to partner with Baltimore city to sponsor the New Year's Eve Celebration," said Greg Bader, the Orioles' vice president of communications and marketing. "Through OriolesREACH, we always look for ways to partner with our community, and after a successful 2012 season, this celebratory event will be the perfect start to what we expect will be an exciting year ahead."